Ellebogen Isolators

[Clutch Cargo]

My 1985 O'day 28 was re-powered with a Yanmar 3GM30F. The engine has a DOM of 1994, so I'm thinking is was done in '94 or 95. It appears that the mounts are original so I have decided to replace them. OEM mounts are crazy expensive. Does anyone have any experience with Ellebogen mounts from Spain? Website is very good and I was able to download drawings of the replacement isolators I need. They are dimensionally identical to the OEM ones and have a good warranty.

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

It appears that the mounts are original so I have decided to replace them.

Any reason you think they need replacement other than age which is just a number.

 

[Jim Legere]

Any reason you think they need replacement other than age which is just a number.

Well, if you have ever had an engine mount fail in rough seas, as I have, planned maintenance would seem prudent. I don't know which type of Yanmar mounts the OP has but, on the 'inerted V' ones, the bond of the rubber blocks to the steel eventually fails.

 

[Clutch Cargo]

"Age is just a number" is a faulty premise and in my experience in both the commercial and recreational marine world has lead to more than one catastrophic failure. Jim Legere makes an excellent point and mine are indeed the inverted "V" type.

Diesel manufacturers usually publish a replacement schedule for isolators and some in the recreational space are what I would consider excessive. I've seen some Yanmar manuals that recommend every 4 years or 1000 hours.

In my case, I'm doing it as a preventative measure in combination with some other work around the stern tube.

 

[Rich Stidger]

If you ever have a failure on the engine involving cracking, Yanmar may be dis-inclined to honor any claim if you are not using their mounts. Maine Sail has info on this with his Westerbeke engine.

 

[Clutch Cargo]

If you ever have a failure on the engine involving cracking, Yanmar may be dis-inclined to honor any claim if you are not using their mounts. Maine Sail has info on this with his Westerbeke engine.

LOL! Yanmar isn't going to entertain any warranty claims related to a 30 year old engine in a 39 year old boat!

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

"Age is just a number" is a faulty premise

When combined with a lack of annual inspection, yes, a recipe for disaster.

Back in 2009 (the engine was 10 YO) , I had a fuel leak above the rear starboard engine mount. The rubber was well wetted with diesel fuel for I don't know how long. I was aware the of the damage this could cause so I replaced it and a) almost broke the bank,

b) almost broke my butt.

Never again would I go through that. I annually inspect the mounts for contamination every year when I go over the engine. My other big check is the alignment every few years when I check for deteriorating alignment, particularly vertical alignment and no indication of anyone dropping yet. Combine all that with no vibration in the cockpit, and I'm not changing my mounts at 25 YO unless something ugly rears its head down there.

There is also some magic number (which I cannot locate again) of something like 1/4" to 3/8" drop in the supports before considering a changeout.

Other than that, sorry but no experience with Ellebogen mounts other than their price is certainly attractive compared to the original Yanmars.